Hinge

ABSTRACT

The hinge (1), designed for suspension members (2 and 3), is provided with a flexible mechanism comprising a pair of joining components (4, 5), intended to be attached to corresponding suspension members (2 and 3) and connected to each other by means of the levers (6 and 7). The levers (6 and 7) are mounted with a freedom for reciprocal motions in parallel planes around rotation axles (8,9&#39; and 8&#39;, 9) disposed on the joining components (4, 5). The levers (6, 7) have an equal length between their rotation axles (8,9&#39; and 8&#39;,9) whereas the locus of points, formed at a turn of the joining components (4 and 5) relative to each other by the intersection of the longitudinal axes (F1 F2 and F3 F4) of the levers (6 and 7) on a plane parallel to the plane of the lever movements, is an elliptical curve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the appliances for hinged joints of suspensionmembers and, more specifically, to the hinges, used to connect suchstructural components as door wings and window panes, parts of slidingpartitions and various moving and transformable structures, includingthose used in construction, stage sceneries, arrangement of easycompartment replanning, technical and household articles and the like.

PRIOR ART

Known in the art is a hinge comprising stationary and moving parts,connected by means of flexible joints. A joining component represents aspring-loaded rod free to move in the axial direction, joined with tilemoving part by means of a flexible joint (the USSR Author's CertificateNo. 462922). This hinge does not project beyond the suspension members,but it ensures turning only through 180°. Such a hinge is complicated toproduce and has a limited strength.

Known are flexible joints for connecting two suspension members,described, for instance, in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,135,280, 2,178,271,2,694,216. The design of said appliances involves the use ofhinge-and-lever mechanisms for connecting with each other joiningcomponents, attached to the suspension members. Herein in all the knownappliances of the type there is only one axis of symmetry, locatedbetween two parts of the mechanism and running through the central axleof rotation, connecting two levers which are provided with additionallevers of another length (the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,133,528, 2,694,216) oradditional sliding axles (the U.S. Pat. No. 2,178,271), connectinglevers with joining components. Upon turning of the suspension membersthrough any angle, the levers protrude beyond the limits of thesuspension members.

In the known hinges, the joining components are linked with each otherby four levers, mounted for movement in the plane of rotation of thejoining components and connected by means of five axles of rotationnormal to the indicated plane of rotation. In this case a complicatedhinge-and-lever system is derived which requires production ofconnecting levers of at least two sizes. The reliability of such asystem is also not high. This is a result of a great number of hingejoints in the system (five axles connecting levers with each other andwith joining components). Thereto, since levers project beyond thesuspension members upon turning, they are subject to bending strainunder the effect of the weight of the suspension members, which isextremely undesirable as it requires an increase in the rigidity of thelevers either by increasing the cross-section area or by using morerigorous materials for production.

The main drawback of the hinges described above is the possibility ofonly a limited reciprocal turn of the suspension members and only to oneside through 180° (the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,178,271, 2,694,216)or through90° (the U.S. Pat. No. 2,135,280).

The fact that levers extend beyond the suspension members during theirturning reduces the aesthetic appearance of the hinge and makes itunsafe, especially when it is necessary to mount extra levers in themiddle portion of the suspension members for heavy door wings, forinstance. Since, as a result of carelessness, people may be injured byprotruding parts of the levers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of making a hinge-and-levermechanism of a hinge for connecting suspension members so as to ensure aturning of one of the suspension members to both sides or a reciprocalturning of suspension members through 180° as well as a turn of one ofthe suspension members relative to the other through 360° with a minimumnumber of structural elements of the hinge and their connections andwith no projection of the levers beyond the suspension members uponturning the latter, therethrough offering a possibility of self-returnof the suspension members to the initial position after theaforeindicated turning of the connected suspension members.

Said object is realized in the applied hinge for suspension memberscomprizing a flexible joint, including a pair of joining components,designed to be attached to appropriate suspension members and connectedwith each other by means of levers, mounted with a freedom forreciprocal motion in parallel planes around the axle of rotation, fixedon the joining components, in accordance with the invention, the levershaving an equal length between trait axles of rotation and the locus ofpoints, formed in the course of turning of the joining componentsrelative to each other by the intersection of the longitudinal axes ofthe levers on a plane parallel to the plane of lever movement, being anelliptical curve.

With such a design of the hinge, owing to the employment of two leversof an equal length, ensured is a turn of each joining component to bothsides or a reciprocal turn of the joining components through 180° aswell as a turn of one the suspension members relative to the otherthrough 360° with no projection of the levers beyond the limits of thejoining components. Thereto it is evident that the applied hinge hasonly two levers and four axles of rotation for their connection with thejoining components, all the axles of rotation being mounted within thejoining components, whereas the levers are also within the limits of thejoining components. This promotes an improvement of reliability and anincrease in strength of the applied hinge due to elimination of abending strain. The fact that the levers do not protrude beyond thelimits of the joining components in the course of their turning, ensuresan improvement of aesthentic appearance and the safety of said hinge.

The intersection points of the lever rotation geometric axes with aplane parallel to the plane of lever movement can be located at thevertexes of a quadrangle with the joining components disposed coaxially,or these intersection points can be located at the vertexes of thequadrangle with the joining components being parallel.

There is a good reason to have a distance between intersection points ofthe geometrical axes of the lever rotation axles with a plane that isparallel to that of lever movement not less than the greatest size of ajoining component in a plane which passes through the geometrical axeswith the axles of rotation being located in this plane.

Thereto a freedom for reciprocal movements of joining components isensured.

There is a good reason to halve convex curved end surfaces of thejoining components, facing each other, with their generating lines beingparallel to the geometrical axes of the rotation axles.

Such a design provides for minimizing clearances between the joiningcomponents in a position they keeps being in one and same plane (withthe door wings closed, for instance).

The intersection of a convex curved surface by a plane parallel to thatof lever movement is preferentially a semi-ellipse being a locus ofpoints, formed by the intersection of the above indicated leverlongitudinal axes on a plane parallel to that of lever movement.

Such a design practically ensures a complete absence of a clearancebetween the suspension members in any position owing to the feasiblyideal mutual geometrical running-in of the joining component conjugatedsurfaces.

In the variant of the hinge design in accordance with the invention,each joining component has two slots to house levers. and each of theslots are provided with rest surfaces in opposition to each other and apair of spring-loaded rods with a freedom to move, the free ends ofwhich interact with the rest surfaces of the levers.

The hinge of such a design is provided with forced self-return of one orthe both joining components to the initial position as well as with adefinite force to hold the suspension members in the closed position.This considerably improves operating features of the applied hinge andextends the range of its application.

The rods are preferentially provided with flanges and the joiningcomponents with rests, between the rest of the joining components andthe flanges of the rods there are mounted springs.

Each joining component is preferentially provided with a lockingmechanism for spring-loaded rods against motion.

In such a design the suspension members are provided with selectivestopping against a spontaneous turn as well as with adjustment of theeffort, required for their turn.

The spring-loaded rods are preferentially provided with pushers,flexibly attached to the vacant ends of the rods for interaction withthe lever rest surfaces.

Such a design increases reliability and makes the production andassembly of the applied hinge simpler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Herein after various variants of the invention embodiment are describedin details with references to the following appended drawings.

FIG. 1 presents a general view of the hinge, persuant to the presentinvention (front view);

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the line II--II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on the line III--III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line IV--IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 (shown is the position of one of thesuspension members, connected by the hinge persuant to the invention,"closed", "open to one side through 180°" and "open to the other sidethrough 180°");

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing of the locus-of-intersection pointsconstruction of the lever longitudinal axes at a reciprocal turn of thesuspension members, connected by the hinge, persuant to the invention,for the top view;

FIGS. 7 to 12 are schematic showings of the relative locations of thehinge lever rotation axles, persuant to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic showing of the hinge, persuant the invention, forthe top view in the variant with the end surfaces of the hinge joiningcomponents being parts of elliptical surfaces;

FIG. 14 is a schematic showing of the hinge, persuant to the invention,for the top view in the variant with the end surfaces of the hingejoining components, having concave portions;

FIG. 15 illustrates a variant of the hinge design, persuant to theinvention, for the front view with a partial cross-section of thesuspension member self-return mechanism to the initial position;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view on the line XVI--XVI (left part of thedrawing) and a view along arrow"A"(right part of the drawing) in FIG.15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view on the line XVII--XVII in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view on the line XVIII--XVIII in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view on the line XIX--XIX in FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a view of the hinge, persuant to the invention, for the frontview, which shows the hinge joining components in the open positions IIand II-2;

FIG. 21 is a view of the hinge, persuant to the invention, for the topview showing intermediate phases of the hinge joining component turnfrom the position II-1 of the hinge joining components to the positionII-2 "open to the other side";

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatical showing of the hinge spring-loaded rodmovements, persuant to the invention, for the top view depending on themotions of a hinge joining component;

FIG. 23 is a schematic showing of the hinge design variant in theexploded view, persuant to the invention, for the front view with apartial cross-section of the joining component self-return mechanism tothe initial position;

FIG. 24 is a view along arrow "B" in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view on the line XXV--XXV in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view on the line XXVI--XXVI in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view on the line XXVII--XXVII in FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view on the line XXVIII--XXVIII in FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view on the line XIX--XIX in FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 illustrates another variant of the hinge design, persuant to theinvention, for the front view with a partial section of the suspensionmember self-return mechanism to the initial position;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view on the line XXXI--XXXI in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view on the line XXXII--XXXII in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view on the line XXXIII--XXXIII in FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a sectional view on the line XXXIV--XXXIV in FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view on the line XXXV--XXXV in FIG. 30;

FIG. 36 is a sectional view on the line XXXVI--XXXVI in FIG. 32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferable variant of the invention embodiment.

The applied hinge 1 (FIG. 1) is designed mainly for connectingsuspension members 2 and 3 comprising a pair of joining components 4,5intended to be joined with the suspension members 2 and 3, respectively,for turning relative to each other in a plane normal to the plane inFIG. 1. To this end, the hinge is provided with s pair of levers 6, 7(FIGS. 1 to 5), mounted with a freedom for reciprocal movements inparallel planes around the rotation axles 8,9' and 8',9, fixedrespectively on the joining components 4 and 5. The planes, in which thelevers 6 and 7 move, are parallel to that of the turning of thesuspension members 2 and 3. The lengths of the levers 6 and 7 betweentheir rotation axles(or, what is the same, the distances between thegeometric centers of the rotation axles 8,9' and 8',9 in the projectionthe plane of turning(the drawing plane)) are equal. FIG. 5 illustratestwo positions of the suspension members 3, 3' and 3".

The longitudinal axes F1 F2 and F3 F4 of the levers 6 and 7 (FIG. 6)with the suspension members moved relative to each other, for instance,from the position indicated by solid lines, to the position, shown bydotted lines, by intersecting each other in the projection in the planeof turning (the drawing plane), form a locus of points that constitutesan elliptical curve. This is self-evident from the geometricalconstruction, shown in FIG. 6, where the successive positions of thesuspension member 3 are defined by the positions 3¹ -3⁸. Such a specificfeature of the applied hinge ensures a reciprocal turning of thesuspension members through an angle of 180° without any projection ofthe levers 6 and. 7 beyond the limits of the suspension members. FIG. 6is a schematic showing of the applied hinge without joining componentsin the form of longitudinal axes F1 F2 and F3 F4 of the levers,connecting the suspension members 2 and 3 by means of rotation axles8,8' and 9,9' the geometrical axes of which are defined respectively bypoints F1, F2 and F3, F4.

In FIG. 6, the locus of the points of intersection of the longitudinalaxes of levers 6, 7, upon relative rotation of suspension members 2, 3,lies along the elliptical curve forming the end surface of joiningcomponent 4. In this way, the axes at F1 and F2 are at the focal pointsof the elliptical curve.

As indicated by thin lines in FIG. 7, the points F1, F2 and F3, F4obtained due to intersection of the geometrical axes of rotation of thelevers 6 and 7 by a plane parallel to that of the lever movement, arelocated at the vertexes of a quadrangle with the longitudinal axes F1 F4and F2 F3 of the levers, passing through points F1, F2 and F3, F4,originated at intersection of the geometrical axes of the rotation axles8,9' and 8',9 of the levers 6 and 7 by a plane parallel to that of thelever movement, are on the diagonals of the quadrangle. Although FIG. 3indicates that the points F1, F2 and F3, F4 of intersection of thegeometrical axes of the levers 6 and 7 rotation axles 8,9' and 8',9 by aplane parallel to that of the lever movement, are located on thediagonals of the quadrangle with the joining components being disposedcoaxially, it is evident that possible are various relative positions ofthe rotation axles with the suspension members being disposed coaxiallyand parallel, as it is schematically shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, whichdepict only the longitudinal axes F1 F4 and F2 F3 of the levers 6 and 7without joining components 4,5.

As is indicated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the levers 6, 7 are disposed atdifferent sides relative to the surfaces of joining components 4 , 5,which is most advisable from the point of view of load distribution. Butthis is not obligatory, and the levers can be mounted, if required, atone and the same side of the above indicated surfaces. To do this, it ispossible to use various technical methods to ensure lever movement inparallel planes, which are well known to specialists and have nothing todo with the idea of the present invention.

The distance F1-F4 of F2-F3 between the intersection points F1, F2 andF3, F4 of the geometrical axes of the rotation axles 8,9' and 8',9 ofthe levers 6, 7 with a plane parallel to that of the lever movement isat least equal to the greatest size "B" of the joining component 4 or 5in a plane, passing through the geometrical axes of the rotation axles,respectively, 8,9' and 8',9, located in this component (FIG. 6) FIG. 6shows herein that with the size of the joining component being B₁ >B,the joining component 4 (not shown in FIG. 6) along with the suspensionmember 2 will not be able to take the position 3⁴, indicated by thedotted line in the upper part of FIG. 6. It is quite permissible to havea reverse position with a distance F1-F4 or F2-F3 between intersectionpoints F1, F2 and F3, F4 of the geometrical axes of the levers 6, 7rotation axles by a plane parallel to that of lever movement, beinggreater than the greatest size B₂ of the joining component 4 or 5 in theplane, passing through the geometrical axes of the rotation axles,respectively, 8,9' and 8',9 located in this component. Such a variantcan be used, when it is required to have a gap between the suspensionmembers after their turn to the parallel position. In this case smallparts of the levers 6 and 7 will project only insignificantly beyond thelimits of the joining components 4, 5 or suspension members 2, 3, as isshown in the lower part of FIG. 6 in the position 3⁸ of the suspensionmember.

The joining components 4, 5 are attached to the suspension members 2, 3,they connect to each other by any known means, for instance, by screws,glue, welding and the like, but preferentially in combination withcutting-in to obtain the best decorative effect. With this aim, as FIGS.1 to 4 show, the joining components 4, 5 are provided with holes 10 forscrews.

To employ the applied hinge, the joining components 4 and 5, connectedto each other by the levers 6 and 7, are attached, as indicated above,to the suspension members 2 and 3, respectively. It is possible not toconnect the joining components 4 and 5 to each other by the levers 6 and7 before they are attached to the suspension members 2 and 3. The leverscan be mounted after the joining components 4 and 5 are attached to thesuspension members 2 and 3, respectively.

If required, one of the suspension members 2 (a door wing, for instance)is turned from the position 2 to the position 2⁸, as shown in FIG. 6,until it is fully open through 180°. In this case a reciprocal motion ofthe levers 6 and 7 takes place, as illustrated by a change in therelative positions of their longitudinal axes F1 F4 and F2 F3 from F1 F4and F2 F3 to F1⁸ F4⁸ and F2⁸ F3⁸ (FIG. 6).

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 12, the facing end surfaces of the joiningcomponents (not shown) are convex curved surfaces 11-13, whosegenerating lines are parallel to the geometrical axes of the rotationaxles 8,9' and 8',9 of the levers 6, 7. This being the case, it isadvisable to have the section of the convex curved surfaces 11-13 by aplane, parallel to the plane of the levers 6, 7 movement, as asemi-ellipse, being a locus of points, formed at a joining componentturn relative to each other by the intersection of the longitudinal axesF1 F4 and F2 F3 of the levers 6, 7 by a plane, parallel to that of thelever movement, as shown in FIG. 6. In this figure the semi-ellipse withfocusses F1 and F2, formed as aforeindicated, is a cross-section of theconvex curved end surface of the joining component 4 (not shown) and theend surface of the suspension member 2. In this case the clearancebetween end surfaces of the suspension members 2, 3 is at minimum and inthe ideal case is equal to zero.

It should be evident to specialists that various modifications arepossible concerning the making of the joining component (suspensionmember) end surfaces, which can be parts of elliptical surfaces (FIG.13) or have concave portions (FIG. 16). Such surfaces can be used toobtain more reliable tightening or to achieve other objects, dependingon the purpose of the hinge. The employment of these variants in thehinge design is evident from FIGS. 13, 14.

in the design variant, presented in FIGS. 15 to 21, in which thedescribed above elements are defined by the same Ref. Nos, each joiningcomponent 4, 5 has two slots 14, 15 or 14', 15' (FIG. 15), intended toaccomodate the levers 6, 7 and provided with rest surfaces 16, 17 and16', 17' in opposition to each other and with a pair of thespring-loaded rods 18 having a freedom to move, the free ends of whichare intended to interact act with the rest surfaces 16, 17 and 16', 17'of the levers 6, 7. The rods 18 are mounted with a freedom for axialmotion and provided with flanges 19, while the joining components 4, 5have rests 20, 20'. Between the rests 20 and 20' of the joiningcomponents 4, 5 and the flanges 19 of the rods 18 there are mountedsprings 21, 21', inside of which there are additional springs 22, 22'(not obligatory). In this construction under standard conditions therods 18 are pressed to the rest surfaces 16, 17 and 16', 17' of thelevers 6, 7 by the springs 21, 21' and the additional springs 22, 22' tohold the suspension members 2 and in a coaxial (closed) position and toensure their self-return to this position after their turn to theparallel position (FIG. 21).

The joining component 4, 5 has a separation web 23, 23', disposedbetween the slots 14, 15 and 14', 15' to accomodate the levers 6 and 7and provided with a hole 24, 24' (FIG. 20) with an axis 0--0' located inthe symmetry plane of the slots 14, 15 and 14', 15'.

The body of the joining component 4, 5 is furnished with guiding holes25, 26 and 25', 26' (FIGS. 18 to 20), intersecting the hole 24, 24' inthe separation web 23, 23' of the joining component 4, 5 and disposed inthe direction of the spring-loaded rod 18 movement. The ends of the rods18 having flats 27 (FIGS. 18 to 20) are arranged in the guiding holes25, 26 and 25', 26'.

The hinge is provided with a spring-loaded rod 18 locking mechanismagainst motion, made in the form of a stopping element 28, 28', theseparation web 23, 23' of the joining component 4, 5. The stoppingelement 28, 28' has a shape of a cylindrical stem, furnished withdiametrically opposite grooves 29, 29', spaced along the side surface ofthe stem (FIG. 19). The rods 18 (FIGS. 18 to 20) enter the grooves 29,29' of the stopping element 28, 28' with the width of the flats 27 beingsmaller than that of the grooves 29, 29'.

A variant of the design, presented in FIGS. 23 to 29, in which thedescribed above elements are designated by the same Ref. Nos, is similarto the previous one, except for the only difference; the spring-loadedrods 18 are furnished with pushers 18a, flexibly attached by means ofpins 30 to the vacant ends of the rods to interact with the restsurfaces 16, 17 and 16', 17' of the levers 6, 7. The pushers 18a have ashape of plates while the cross-section of the rods is cylindrical. Therods 18 are fitted with tail pieces 18b of a smaller diameter with tileformation of rest surfaces. The tail pieces 18b enter blind holes 31 ofthe flange of a movable rest 33, fixed on the guiding element 34,rigidly connected to the joining component, 4 and having a stationaryrest 35. The stopping element 28 is made up in the shape of acylindrical stem that is furnished with diametrically opposite grooves29 of a semi-circular cross-section along the whole length of thestopping element, which receive the rods 18. The width of the pusherplates is smaller than that of the grooves 29 of the stopping element28. The stopping element 28 is furnished with a slit 36 to turn theformer.

In the variant of the applied hinge design, presented in FIGS. 30 to 36,in which the described above elements are designated by the same Ref.Nos, each joining component 4, 5 is made with a guiding slot 37, 37' ina plane parallel to that of movement of the levers 6 and 7, while theslots 14, 15 and 14', 15', accomodating the levers, are formed by theseparation web 38, 38' disposed parallel to the levers 6 and 7 andarranged in a part of the guiding slot 37, 37' from the side of the endsurface 39, 39' (FIG. 32) of the joining component 4, 5 and connectedwith the guiding slot 37, 37' by means of a through slot 40, 40' (FIG.36), disposed parallel to the plane of the separation web 38, 38'. Thelevers 6 , 7 are mounted in the guiding slot 37, 37' on both sides ofthe separation web 38, 38' (FIGS. 30 to 33). In the cross-section by aplane normal to those of the lever 6, 7 movements, the guiding slot 37,37' has two skew-symmetric recesses 41, 42, 41', 42'. In this variantthe pushers are made as a pair of double-arm levers 43, 44, 43', 44',flexibly attached to each joining component 4,5, with one set of arms45,46,45',46', flexibly attached to the spring-loaded rods 18 mounted inthe guiding holes (not designated) of the joining component normal tothe separation web 38, 38', while the other set of the lever arms 47,48, 47', 48' bear against the end plane of the pressing element 49, 49',arranged in the guiding hole 37, 37' and having a cross-section,corresponding to the guiding slot 37, 37' from the side opposite to theside of the end plane of the pressing element 49, 49' end.

The spring-loaded rod 18 locking mechanism against motion is made up ina form of a closing accentric cam 51, 51', mounted on the rotation axle52, 52' in the through slot 40, 40' and ring a projecting control boss53, 53' (FIGS. 31 to 33 and 36). The end of the pressing element 49, 49'opposite to the forenoted end plane features a recess 50, 50', whichmakes a step in the cross-section by a plane parallel to the plane ofthe separation web 38, 38' (FIGS. 31 to 33 and 35).

The description of the design variant operations, illustrated in FIGS.15 to 21.

In the initial position on the suspension members 2, 3 (FIGS. 15, 16)are disposed coaxially so that their end surfaces, which face eachother, are joined. This position corresponds, for instance, to theposition of closed doors. In the said position the rods 18 (FIGS. 18,19) enter the grooves 29, 29' of the stopping elements 28, 28', andsince the width of the flats 27 is smaller than the width of the grooves29,29', the rods can easily move. a turn of one of the suspensionmembers 3 relative to the other suspension member 2 (FIG. 21 ) thesprings 21, 22 and 21', 22' get compressed by the pressure exerted bythe flanges 19 of the rods 18, that move under the action of the restsurfaces 16, 17 and 16', 17' which turn the levers 6, 7 (FIGS. 15 to 17and 21). Thereupon the suspension members take positions parallel toeach other. In case a held suspension member, for instance, thesuspension member 3 is released, the springs 21, 22 and 21', 22' getloose, exerting pressure on the rods 18 by means of the flanges 19. Theends of the rods 18 act upon the rest surfaces 16, 17 and 16',17' of thelevers 6, 7 (FIGS. 15 to 17 and 21). Whereupon the levers 6, 7 turn inthe opposite direction, which causes a turn of the suspension members 2and 3 relative to each other and the suspension members return to theinitial position (FIGS. 15 to 17). Such an operation of the appliedhinge can be used, for instance, when self-closing doors or panes ofvarious mechanisms are employed.

FIG. 22 presents a diagram of the spring-loaded rod 18 movements versusthe movements of a suspension member, where single movements of asuspension member, designated by letter "L", are indicated equally andin conformity with the movements of the rod 18, designated by letter"H", from H1 to H8. The diagram makes it evident that the spring-loadedrod movement values decrease with a turn of the suspension membertowards opening. Owing to this, the effort exerted to the suspensionmember to open open it drops quicker than the resistance of the springswhich rises during the compression of the springs. Therewith, owing toan instant drop to zero of a force in the suspension member mechanism ofself-return to the initial position as soon as the rods 18 get stoppedby the joining components 4, 5 in the close (coaxial) position of thesuspension members, which do not swing in this position.

In case it is required to abandon the use of the suspension members 2and 3 mechanism of self-return to the initial position, a quater turn ofthe stopping element 28 is effected by means of the slit 36 with thesuspension members 2 and 3 being parallel to each other (in the dooropen position, for instance) and the springs 21, 22 and 21', 22'compressed (FIG. 21). Thereupon, parts of the rods, located behind theflats 27, bear against the side surfaces of the stopping elements 28,28' and exert no pressure to the levers 6 and 7. In tile course of aforced turn of the suspension members 2 and 3, the rods 18 remainmotionless and have no influence of the hinge operation. In this casethe hinge operation is similar in everything to the design variantsheretofore described.

In case it is required to reduce the effort needed to open thesuspension members 2 and 3, it is possible to turn the stopping element28 only of one of the suspension members, which results in disengagementof the pair of spring-loaded rods 18. The other pair of the rodscontinue to act on both the levers 6 , 7 In the case of the springsfailure, the applied hinge continues to operate under the conditions ofa reduced effort, required for opening and self-return of the suspensionmembers 2 and 3. In case all the springs are broken, the hinge proceedsoperating but with no self-return of the suspension members to theinitial position.

Since the rods 18 bear freely against the rest surfaces of the levers 6and 7, the moment of weight is fully absorbed by the levers 6 and 7 andit does not act on the springs. This improves the reliability of thehinge.

A variant of the applied hinge design, presented in FIGS. 23 to 29,operates in a similar way with an only exception: the rods 18 interactwith the rest surfaces 16, 17 and 16', 17' of the levers 6 and 7 bymeans of the pushers 18a, flexibly attached to the vacant ends of therods 18 by pins 30. Such a design improves reliability and makes theassembly procedures simpler.

The description of the design variant operation, illustrated in FIGS. 30to 36.

In the initial position the suspension members 2, 3 (FIGS. 30 to 34 )are disposed coaxially so that their end surfaces, which face eachother, are joined. This corresponds to the position, for instance, ofclosed doors. In this position the double-arm levers 43, 44, 43', 44'exert pressure to the pressing element 49, 49' under the force ofsprings. The eccentric cam 51, 51' does not retard the longitudinalmovement of the pressing element 49, 49' (FIGS. 31,32 and 36). In thisposition the double arm levers 43, 44, 43', 44' and the rods 18 can movewith the movement of the pressing element 49, 49'. In case of a turn ofone of the suspension members 3 relative to the other suspension member2 (not shown), the springs 21 get compressed dune to the motion of thepressing element 49, 49' in the slot 37, 37', due to a turn of thedouble-arm levers 43, 44, effected by the rest surfaces 16, 17 and 16',17' of the levers 6, 7 being turned, due to the movement of the rods 18,the flanges 19 of which act on the springs 21. Thereupon the suspensionmembers 2, 3 take positions parallel to each other. In case the heldsuspension member is released in this position, for instance, thesuspension member 3, the springs 21 come loose, exerting pressure to therods 18 via the flanges 19. The rods act upon the end plane of thepressing element 49, 49' by means of the double-arm levers 43, 44, 43',44'. Whereafter the opposite end of the pressing element 49, 49' acts onthe rest surfaces 16, 17 and 16',17' of the levers 6 and 7 (FIGS. 30 to33). Owing to this action, the levers 6, 7 turn into the oppositedirection, which results in a turn of the suspension members 2 and 3relative to each other and the suspension members return to the initialposition.

In case it is required to abandon the self-return to the initialposition of the suspension members 2 and 3, a quarter turn of theclosing accentric cam 51, 51' is effected to the position with thesuspension members 2 and 3 being parallel to each other (in the dooropen position, for instance) and the springs 21 compressed. As a result,the steps formed by the recesses 50, 50' of the pressing elements 49,49' bear against the closing accentric cams 51,51' and do not press thelevers 6 and 7. With a turn of the suspension members 2 and 3, carriedout by force, the pressing elements 49, 49' and the double-arm levers 4343, 44, 43', 44' do not move, the rods 18 remain motionless and have noinfluence on the hinge operation. This being the case, the self-returnto the initial position of the suspension member does not take place andthe operation of the hinge remains similar in everything to theoperation of the design variants described above with references toFIGS. 1 to 12.

Everyting said above with references to FIGS. 15 to 21 concerning achange in the effort of springs and displacement of the rods with thesuspension members being open and closed, holds good for the givenvariant of the design. The difference lies in the employment of thedouble-arm levers 43, 44, 43', 44', which makes it possible to reducethe rigidity of springs and to increase the effort required to open thesuspension members. Thereto, the said variant of the design ensures asimpler and more reliable method of attaching the hinges to suspensionmembers and an access to the mechanism of self-return to the initialposition of the suspension members in case of repairs or servicing.

As FIG. 25 shows, the hinge is provided with a cover 54 to protect themechanism against dust and foreign objects. Such a cover can be used forall variants of the hinge design furnished with the self-returnmechanism.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In accordance with the invention the hinge can be most successfullyemployed for joining door wings when required to ensure their full turnto both sides through 180° or relatively to each other through 360° toallow a passage through the door opening, for instance, of an intensivestream of people or animals.

We claim:
 1. A hinge for first and second suspension members (2,3) comprising:a first joining component (4) attachable to a first suspension member (2), said first joining component (4) having a first rotation axle (8) and a second rotation axle (8'), and a second joining component (5) attachable to a second suspension member (3), said second joining component (5) having a first rotation axle (9) and a second rotation axle (9'); first and second levers (7,6) connecting said joining components (4,5) to each other, said first lever (7) having a first end rotatably mounted on said first axle (8) of said first joining component (4) and a second end rotatably mounted on said second axle (9') of said second joining component (5), said second lever (6) having a first end rotatably mounted on said first axle (9) of said second joining component (5) and a second end rotatably mounted on said second axle (8') of said first joining component (4), said levers (6,7) being disposed in different, parallel planes and having opposite angles of inclination to define an intersection point (0) of longitudinal axes (F1F4 and F2F3) passing through the respective levers, said levers being pivotably movable concurrently in said parallel planes around said axles (8,9' and 8',9) between open and closed positions of the suspension members of the hinge, said levers (6,7) being of equal length between said axles (8,9' and 8' 9), and a locus of points formed, upon turning of the joining components (4,5) relative to each other, by said intersection point (0) of longitudinal axes (F1F4 and F2F3) of the levers (6,7) in a plane parallel to the plane of lever movement, being an elliptical curve, whereby low bending deformations of said hinge, its rigidity and essentially gap-free mutual coupling of said joining components (4,5) and said suspension members (2,3) in any position of said hinge between said open and closed positions are achieved, said joining components (4,5) having end surfaces (11,12) facing one another which in the open position of the hinge are in adjoining relation with substantially no gap therebetween, said end surfaces being of convex, curvature having generating lines extending parallel to axes of rotation of said rotation axles, said convex, curvature of said end surfaces being of semi-elliptical shape corresponding to the elliptical curvature of said locus of points formed by said intersection point (0) of the longitudinal axes of said levers, upon turning of said components, and enabling said components to turn to said open position substantially through an angle of 360° while maintaining substantially no gap between said end surfaces (11, 12) of said joining components (4, 5).
 2. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein intersection points (F1, F2 and F3, F4) of the lever (6 and 7) rotation axles (8,9' and 8',9) with a plane parallel to the plane of lever (6 and 7) movement are located at vertexes of a quadrangle, with the joining components (4, 5) being disposed coaxially in said closed position.
 3. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein intersection points (F1, F2 and F3, F4) of the geometrical axes of the lever (6 and 7) rotation axles (8,9' and 8',9) with a plane parallel to the plane of the lever (6, 7) movement are located at vertexes of a quadrangle with the joining components (4,5) being disposed parallel to one another in said open position.
 4. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein a spacing (F1-F4, F2-F3) between intersection points (F1, F2 and F3, F4) of geometrical axes of the respective lever (6 and 7) rotation axles (8, 9' and 8', 9) with a plane parallel to the plane of lever (6 and 7) movement is at least equal to a maximum dimension (B) of one of said components in a plane passing through the geometrical axes of the rotation axles (8, 9' and 8'), located in said one joining component.
 5. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein each joining component (4, 5) is provided with two slots (14, 15 and 14', 15') accommodating the levers (6, 7), each of which is furnished with rest surfaces (16, 17 and 16', 17') in opposition and with a pair of spring-loaded rods (18) having a freedom to move and ends interacting with said rest surfaces (16, 17 and 16', 17') of the levers (6, 7).
 6. The hinge according to claim 5, wherein said rods (18) are furnished with flanges (19) and the joining components (4, 5) with rests (20, 20') and between the rests (20, 20') of the joining components (4, 5) and the flanges (19) of the rods (18) there are mounted springs (21, 21').
 7. The hinge according to claim 6, wherein each joining component (4, 5) includes a stop mechanism for the respective spring-loaded rod (18).
 8. The hinge according to claim 7, wherein each joining component (4, 5) has a separation web (23), disposed between the slots (14, 15 and 14', 15') to accommodate the levers (6 and 7) and having a hole (24, 24'), the axis (0--0') of which is located in a symmetry plane of the slots (14, 15 and 14', 15'), said joining components (4, 5) having guiding holes (25, 26 and 25', 26') crossing the hole (24, 24') in the separation web (23) of the joining component (4, 5) serving as guides for the movements of the spring-loaded rods (18), said stop mechanism including a stopping element (28, 28'), mounted with freedom to rotate in the hole (24, 24') of the separation web (23) of the joining component (4, 5), and having diametrically opposite grooves (29, 29'), spaced along the joining component to receive the rods (18), said rods having ends with flats (27) disposed in the guiding holes (25, 26 and 25', 26'), the flats (27) having widths smaller than that of the grooves (29, 29') of the stopping elements (28, 28').
 9. The hinge according to claim 8, wherein the spring-loaded rods (18) include pushers (18a), flexibly attached to free ends of the rods to interact with the rest surfaces (16, 17 and 16' 17') of the levers (6, 7).
 10. The hinge according to claim 9, wherein the pushers (18a) are in the form of plates, whereas the rods (18) are of a cylindrical cross-section, said stopping element (28, 28') having a shape of a cylindrical stem, provided along its side surface with diametrically opposed and longitudinally spaced grooves (29, 29') of a semicircular cross-section, which receive the rods (18) the width of the pusher (18a) plates being smaller than the width of the grooves (29, 29') of the stopping elements (28, 28').
 11. The hinge according to claim 9, wherein each joining component (4, 5) has a guiding slot (37, 37') in a plane parallel to the plane of the lever (6, 7) movement, whereas the slots (14, 15 and 14', 15'), accommodating the levers (6, 7), are formed by the separation web (38, 38'), disposed parallel to the levers (6, 7) and located in a part of the guiding slot 37, 37') from the side of the end surface (39, 39') of the joining component (4, 5), each joining component having a through slot (40, 40'), connected with the guiding slot (37, 37' and disposed parallel to the plane of the separation web (38, 38') with the levers (6, 7) disposed in the guiding slot (37, 37') on both sides of the said separation web (38, 38'), said guiding slot (37, 37') having in a cross-section in a plane normal to the planes of the lever (6, 7) movements two skew-symmetric recesses (41, 42, 41' 42'), whereas the pushers comprise a pair of double-arm levers (43, 44, 43' 44'), flexibly attached to each joining component, with one set of arms (45, 46, 45', 46') flexibly connected to the spring-loaded rods (18), mounted in the guiding holes of the joining component (4, 5) normal to the separation web (38, 38'), whereas the other set of arms (47, 48, 47', 48') bear against an end of the pressing element (49, 49'), arranged in the guiding slot (37, 37'), and a recess (50, 50'), that provides a step in a cross-section in a plane parallel to the plane of the separation web (38, 38') from the side opposite said end, said stop mechanism for the spring-loaded rod (18) including a closing eccentric cam (51, 51') interacting with said step, formed by the recess (50, 50') at the end of the pressing element (49, 49'), mounted on the rotation axis (52, 52') in the through slot (40, 40') and having a projecting control boss (53, 53').
 12. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein said axles of said first and second joining components are respectively disposed at focal points of the end surfaces of said first and second end surfaces.
 13. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein said semi-elliptical end surfaces have respective concavities therein which interengage in the closed position of the hinge.
 14. The hinge according to claim 1, further comprising means including springs for returning the joining components to said closed position after said components have been moved to said open position and released. 